Aug 30
Pete & Chasten Buttigieg Celebrate a Decade of Love
READ TIME: 21 MIN.
On August 29, 2025, Pete Buttigieg, the former U.S. Secretary of Transportation and the first openly gay Cabinet member in U.S. history, commemorated a personal and public milestone: the tenth anniversary of his first date with his now-husband, Chasten Buttigieg. Posting to Instagram, Pete shared a photo of the couple smiling alongside a baseball mascot—an homage to their very first evening together at a South Bend Cubs game. “Ten years ago tonight, I went on a first date, arriving at the pub with tickets to that night's Cubs game in my pocket in case our chat over beer went really well, which it did,” Pete wrote. “A decade later, I can't imagine life without @chasten.buttigieg and the amazing family we have built together. And I can't wait to see what the next ten years and more will teach us about life and love” .
Pete and Chasten’s relationship began in 2015 after meeting on the dating app Hinge. Their initial bond, forged over a shared sense of humor and a mutual love for the Midwest, quickly blossomed into something enduring. Just three years later, in 2018, the couple wed in a ceremony held in South Bend, Indiana, where Pete was serving as mayor at the time .
Their visibility and openness have propelled them into the national spotlight. Pete’s 2020 presidential campaign was historic—not only for his policies and public service but also as the first major openly gay candidate to win a presidential primary or caucus in U.S. history. Chasten, an educator and author, has also used his platform to champion LGBTQ+ rights and inclusive education .
In 2021, Pete and Chasten expanded their family, welcoming twins Penelope Rose and Joseph August via surrogacy. The arrival of their children was celebrated across LGBTQ+ and national media as a watershed moment for queer family visibility in American politics. Their family has since become one of the most high-profile LGBTQ+ households in the U.S., challenging traditional notions of family and parenthood while offering inspiration to countless queer individuals and couples who aspire to similar milestones .
The Buttigiegs have consistently used their platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, including family-building options such as surrogacy, adoption, and fertility support. Their openness about the joys and challenges of queer parenthood provides crucial representation. As Chasten has shared in interviews and his memoir, the journey to parenthood was at times uncertain, but their story underscores the importance of access and acceptance for LGBTQ+ families .
The Buttigiegs’ anniversary comes at a time of both celebration and challenge for LGBTQ+ communities. While progress has been made in the U.S. regarding marriage equality and family rights, ongoing legislative battles and cultural debates continue to impact queer lives. Pete and Chasten’s visibility as a loving, committed couple—raising children and thriving in public service—offers a counter-narrative to discrimination and exclusion .
Their story is not just about personal milestones but about the broader significance of queer love in public life. As one of the most recognizable LGBTQ+ families in the country, the Buttigiegs serve as symbols of what is possible and what remains to be achieved for full equality. Their willingness to share their lives so openly has ripple effects, helping to foster acceptance and understanding nationwide .
The anniversary post drew an outpouring of support on social media, with LGBTQ+ individuals, allies, and public figures expressing congratulations and sharing their own stories of love and perseverance. Instagram users, activists, and even fellow politicians highlighted the significance of Pete and Chasten’s journey—not just as a personal achievement but as a collective milestone for queer visibility .
Advocacy groups such as the Human Rights Campaign and GLAAD have previously acknowledged the Buttigiegs’ role in advancing LGBTQ+ representation in politics and family life, often citing their public milestones as teaching moments for broader society. These moments of joy and love offer hope and encouragement, especially to young queer people seeking role models in a complex world .
As Pete wrote in his anniversary tribute: “I can’t wait to see what the next ten years and more will teach us about life and love.” Their journey, from a first date in a Midwestern pub to the national stage, is a testament to the enduring power of queer love—and to the ongoing work of building a more inclusive society for all.
In celebrating a decade together, Pete and Chasten Buttigieg remind us that love, in all its forms, not only endures but leads the way toward progress.
